ridicule and suspicion upon them, one cannot review the broad facts of the Jameson invasion, and realize a position which, if only for the moment, gave the aggrieved party unlimited scope for revenge upon an aggressor who had not the semblance of personal wrong or interest nor the pretext of duty to justify his action, without allowing to the Boers that they behaved in such a manner as, for a time, to silence even that criticism which is logically justifiable and ultimately imperative.  In so far as the invading force are concerned, the words of Mr. A. J. Balfour aptly sum up the position:  ’President Kruger has shown himself to possess a generosity which is not the less to be admired because it is coincident with the highest political wisdom.’

With reference to the surrender of the force, it is reasonable to believe that the Transvaal Government, knowing how serious the complications would be if civil war actually took place, and believing as they undoubtedly did that Johannesburg contained upwards of 20,000 armed men, were quite willing—­indeed anxious—­to secure the surrender of Dr. Jameson’s force on any terms, and that the conditions made by Cronje were quite in accordance with what the highest Boer authorities would have accepted.  It seems to be beyond question also that the conditions of surrender were purposely suppressed in order to enable the President to bargain with Johannesburg; and, as has already been stated, such action materially detracted from the credit due to the Transvaal Government.  This is their characteristic diplomacy—­the fruit of generations of sharpening wits against savages; and the same is called Kaffir cunning, and is not understood at first by European people.  But when all such considerations are weighed, there is still a large balance of credit due to the Boers for the manner in which they treated Dr. Jameson and his invading force.  It is difficult to conceive of any people behaving better to a foe vanquished under such conditions; indeed, it would be quite impossible.

The Boers when under control of their leaders have generally behaved in an admirable manner.  It is only when the individuals, unrestrained by those in authority, are left to exercise their power at the dictates of their own uncurbed passions, that the horrible scenes have occurred which have undoubtedly blemished their reputation.

In connection with the Jameson raid there was one such incident—­the shooting of Trooper Black.  The unfortunate man fell into the hands of the Boers while out scouting and was taken as a prisoner to a farmhouse near Blaaubank.  There he was tied up and beaten, and it is stated by a woman who gave him water when he was half mad with thirst, that his face had been smashed by a blow from a rifle butt.  When unable to bear the treatment any longer Black stood up and, tearing his shirt open, cried out, ’Don’t shoot me in the back!  Shoot here!  My heart’s in the right place.’  He was then untied